Do You Believe Your Dreams Can Come True?

Are you deep in the thick of raising children, balancing work, living in the day to day? Have you lost sight of your dreams?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God thought of you before you were even knit together in your mother’s womb. He has plans for you, to prosper you, to give you hope. He’s given you all you need for doing what He has planned. And He promises to bring his dreams and purposes for you to fulfillment.

But God doesn’t need you to make your dreams come true.

Isn’t this good news?

I’ve lived this truth.

When I was younger, I worked summers with my dad at a medical publishing company, honing my writing and editing skills. I loved it. Lillian, one of the top editors, took me under her wing, editorially and personally. My parents were going through a heartbreaking divorce, and Lillian was incredibly understanding and encouraging. She inspired my dreams of being a writer.

In college I took the required English class freshman year. My teacher was young and enthusiastic. She gave us an opportunity to write a story from our hearts. I wrote the story of my beloved grandmother’s passing, It Happened in a Day. My teacher loved the story. My dad loved the story. Lillian loved the story.

A deep desire to write stories about real life and real people blossomed.

My first full-time job was as a poorly paid Associate Production Editor at McCall’s Working Mother magazine. It paid the bills, but I dreamed of writing stories, especially other peoples’.

Eventually I took a job at HBO. It paid better, and it was a flashy cool job for a gal in her 20s. Everyone was young, fun, and a little wild!

Soon, I married. I became mom to four daughters. I experienced a twin miscarriage at five months pregnant and took care of my husband who suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Dreams? What dreams? Who had time to dream?

Some very big dreams had been shattered…and the rest were dropped as I attended to my “To Do” list, never mind my “To Dream” list.

Still, God was at work. In fact, He was keeping me on track for the dream He planted many years before.

Almost unaware, I had kept my hand in writing through ministry and business — newsletters, direct marketing campaigns, flyers, press releases. I traveled around the East Coast sharing Moms In Prayer with others. I realized the tremendous power in sharing our stories of God’s faithfulness, miracles, answered prayers.

My burning desire, my dream of sharing stories, was fully reignited.

Eventually I stepped down from ministry due to rising financial needs. I asked God to help. Within one month, I was hired in the healthcare marketing industry on a magazine that was all about…can you guess? People’s stories! As the editor, I help people tell their stories about life, family, kids, vacations, life lessons, adventures, second careers…and occasionally a faith story slips in 😉

But I wanted to share more stories.

Everyone has a story to tell — a big picture coming to faith story…or a smaller moment in their lives that demonstrates God’s hand, His power to transform ashes to beauty, His love. How could I share these stories? I dreamed of a magazine that required money I didn’t have.

Thanks to the Internet, it’s possible, without tons of money!

A team of us began to meet and set plans in motion. We picked a logo, colors, and contacted guest writers. The site was built. We had a beautiful launch party surrounded by supporters.

God orchestrated it all. What He did was beyond my knowledge…yet He did it! He made my dreams come true beyond my imagination.

Through another set of amazing circumstances, right before the launch, I came across an old journal from when I was 22. I was stunned when I read these words, “I want to write about LIFE, LIFE, LIFE.” And that’s just what I do!

So if you’ve lost sight of your dreams, God promises you He is at work even when you can’t see it. He put dreams in your heart. And when the time is right, He will align your circumstances, and your dreams will come true!

What are you dreaming of? I’d love to hear!

_______________________

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About Elise Daly Parker

Elise’s latest dream set sail with the launch of her community site, Circles of Faith, Where Faith, Life, and Community Intersect. Through Circles, Elise lives out her passion for sharing stories that inspire, equip, and connect. She believes everyone has a story that matters, that God forms our dreams, and He will make them come true! Anchored in writing and editing for over 30 years, Elise is a freelance writer and editor, speaker, writing coach, and MOPS Mentor Mom. She is newly navigating life at home without kids and with a wonderful husband. Her future itinerary includes a grandbaby. She looks forward to dropping anchor here and getting to know you! Elise blogs at Our Stories, God’s Glory and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

Good for you in pursuit of your dreams, Elise. I have many dreams, but the bigger ones have been reshaped by God because of life circumstances over the last 15+ years. While I no longer can pursue the dreams that involved other people and our original plans together, I CAN lean into God for vision and different opportunities. Because I’m older now, it’s been a true joy to come alongside younger people to listen, pray and encourage them in all God has wired them to do and be. Grateful!

God has a plan for everyone Kris. And while it can be hard as life reshapes our plans, I love how you’re using your wisdom to encourage those who are younger. You are a gift! Thanks so much for stopping by.

I’m close to middle age, and I have no idea where I’m going in life. I’ve heard god has a plan for us all. I feel as though god’s blueprints for me might have been misplaced some where.Or worse, if there any plans that will lead me to a happy content life where I have peace of mind. I often wonder why I was born. What my purpose in life is. This uncertainty at this time of my life, has made me very bitter,angry, and depressed. I often feel that I wish I had never been born.

Oh friend I am so sorry you are struggling. Please know that we will be praying for you and asking God to reveal His specific plan for your life. The “wanderings” can be difficult. I often feel like I have messed up too much, and gotten off track too often for God to be able to use me. But I have found that God uses even those times for His glory…but it very often isn’t on my time table. I wish I could give you the cure all answer, but I can’t. I can pray though and will be. Praying for God’s presence and hope will fill your spirit today!!

I promise Kristin that God is on the move in your life, even if you do not perceive it. He loves you so very much, you, just the way you are. And He loves your heart for Him, and for others, and your fervent prayers. I will be praying that God will show you His hand in your life in a powerful way. Love you friend!!

I’ve always loved journaling. A few years ago while going through a hardship, I pulled out some of my old journals. When I did, my eyes were opened to God’s handiwork in my life. I was able to see how He had come and rescued me every time I had a need. Over the years, He had answered every cry of my heart (in detail). I was amazed by how I had missed all the miracles that were happening in my everyday life. Rereading my journals caused me to dream bigger things for my life. I had been so focused on “me” and the simple things in life. My dreams now are to reach the nations. I won’t settle for anything less. I believe those dreams come from Him and that they are His dreams for everyone of His children.

Oh, yes!! Jen, this comment really spoke to my heart this morning. I just took out my prayer journal from 2012 and I was SHOCKED at what God had done. All the answered prayers, all the dreams, I never would have remembered. Such confirmation. I am cheering you on – dream big, friend!! Whatever God is calling you to, He will enable you to do. Smiling BIG for you today!!

Yes, Jen…I know exactly what you mean! God has brought so many dreams to fruition, some that I had forgotten about. But if it’s His will, He won’t forget. Praying that you will indeed reach the nations as you continue to follow after God! Thanks for stopping by.

Elise,
I know your gifts, and because you are my friend, I also know your heart. These two things….”He’s given you all you need for doing what He has planned.” and “…God doesn’t need you to make your dreams come true.” spoke to me so powerfully. For those of us struggling to believe in our dreams, fighting mundane battles that keep us from the luxury of dreaming, what a balm for a weary soul.
I pray encouragement for every dreamer about to give up who is blessed by your words.
Peace and good to you in Jesus’name.

I just think it’s such a relief, Chelle, that ultimately we’re not in charge of fulfilling God’s plans or making our dreams come true. We do what we can. We seek His face. He does so much, often unseen, but I can rest in that and so can you. Love you friend!!

Elise, Yes…my hubby made a declaration that we are moving back to the east coast to be near our grown sons & 8 grandbebe’s! I immediately felt a peace knowing it was right.
While reading “Your already Amazing ” by Holley Gerth the exercises brought me to a good place within where I could see the possibilities before my hubby made the statement. And in one particular exercise Holley mentions at the end of the chapter now go and Celebrate! That word resonated in my head, because that is the name of the community we are looking at to move too in Virginia!
This past weekend, The Lord brought to mind a memory I had forgotten but some 27 yrs ago we wanted to move to Virginia to raise our then 3 young boys . But after speaking at a family gathering our mom’s who lived just 5 minutes away from us at the shot the dream down!
So I see this as a full circle our boys are married with many babies of their own & would be close by, and 2 Calvary Chapel church will be near by a very important element in our move.
This week we are heading down to check out the area believing we will get another confirmation from our Lord. Please pray for us!

Yes, Miriam, praying that God would continue to confirm His hand in your future. I love the way He prepared your heart for what was to come. He’s like that!! Bless you and thanks so much for stopping by. Keep us posted.

This is so encouraging. I have always loved to write and have found through blogging, I can write words to encourage others. I have so many more dreams concerning my writing. I know that God is in the details and in His timing, they will come to pass! Blessings to you as you continue to pursue your God sized dreams!

Exactly Barbie….God will make your dreams come true. You keep doing what you’re doing and He will bless you and open doors. He can be trusted with our dreams! Thank you so much for visiting here today. Blessings!

What a good affirming word today, Elise. I haven’t pulled out my old journals in a while, but think I will. It would be neat to see how God has moved and answered prayers over the years. So thankful that no matter what life’s circumstances may be, God knows and sees our hearts and he doesn’t forget the dreams that are planted there!

You know Alecia, the Lord gives us our dreams, makes them come true, changes them, reshapes them…what He has said, that will He do. I truly believe looking back can show such evidence of God. I feel so strongly about it and God has shown me this to be so true, I’m thinking I really need to reflect on it more than I have. Enjoy your journals. I pray God surprises you with His faithfulness!

Elise, thank you so much for this wonderful encouragement today. I also need to say THANK YOU for allowing me to be part of Circle of Faith. After reading this I’m even more grateful (and I was already so very grateful) that God led me to COF. Thank you for how you continually encourage me in my own writing. I could go on because I’m so thankful for you. You are beautiful. Your words are beautiful
Much love,
Beth

You warm my heart and bless me beyond what you can imagine my friend! You see, more evidence of God’s divine intervention. He brought us together, across the miles, through cyberspace, for such a time as this. So thankful for you!!

Yes, Elise. I am deep in the thick of working with my adult children, taking care of my mom, balancing work and living in the day to day? Your testimony is inspiring. Thanks. As I look back to all that the Lord has done I see His wonderful hand orchestrating my steps and the life of my family. I do have great dreams but have to keep refocusing on them to get on track. Thanks for your words.

Oh yes, Elaine! Since I’ve read your story, I know God has been faithful even in the great challenges you’ve faced. And I might add that you have been faithful too. God bless you. So thankful for our connection. God will give you all you need for fulfilling His purposes. Bless you!

Oh, friend, such beautiful words today. I love the reminder that He’s at work, too, even when we can’t see it. He’s just showered His blessings on you…thanks for taking us on that journey AND for being part of my dreaming journey, too! Blessings and love today. 🙂

Thank you Mel! Truly, God has been good to me. I haven’t always seen it or known it. But every time I look back and wonder where God was, He shows me. And He surprises by keeping my dream on track, even when I can’t! He’s doing the same for you. Love you!

“Still, God was at work. In fact, He was keeping me on track for the dream He planted many years before.” Oh, how I loved this, Elise. Such encouragement for those of us who sometimes, even secretly, worry that we might have missed our dream-boat. I feel God working in and through my circumstances in such amazing ways. So thankful for a God who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will (Eph 1:11).

Yes, Amy! God’s Word is true. You have not missed your God-sized dream boat. He would not let that happen. I’m so glad you feel God working in and through your circumstances. We don’t always see this at the time. When we do, it sustains us, yes? Bless you dreaming sister. Your journey is ongoing!!

Hi Elise, I’m a first time visitor and so glad I found you. My prayer has become that God’s plans for me will become my dreams. His plans are always so much better than mine, something it took me way to long to understand. Many blessings to you.

Hi Deb! Well I’m so glad you found us too. Welcome!! I do believe God’s plans for us are ultimately tied to the desires of our hearts. I agree with you in prayer. Lord, show Deb the plans you have for her. Please, Lord, bring her dreams to fruition in a way that is more than she can ask or imagine…in a way that she cannot deny your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

HI Elise – my turn to get to “meet” you 🙂 I could identify with so much in this post from “Some very big dreams had been shattered…and the rest were dropped as I attended to my “To Do” list, never mind my “To Dream” list.” to “So if you’ve lost sight of your dreams, God promises you He is at work even when you can’t see it. He put dreams in your heart. And when the time is right, He will align your circumstances, and your dreams will come true!” Those thoughts reminded me of something I just read in “All In” “Every dream I’ve ever had has gone through a death and a resurrection…God-ordained dreams aren’t just born. They’re reborn.” I know that was true for me and it seems that it is a common theme I’m reading and hearing with those pursuing God-sized dreams! So glad that God is faithful to bring to fruition that which He has planted. Thanks for this encouraging word 🙂

So delighted to see you here Toni! Wow…very powerful resurrection thought. I’m going to have to consider this more. Maybe it’s the process of when we’re holding too tight to our dreams…we have to let them go, die even, before they can truly live the way God intended? Still pondering…

Elise, what a beautiful story! It’s amazing how God is always at work in our lives, even when we can’t see it. And I can so relate to wanting to write about “life.” It’s the stories of others and their faith, that makes our own come alive! So grateful you shared this, my friend.

Hi Lisa! Don’t you just love stories? I do believe they have the power to inform, transform, reform…that we all have these wonderful stories, even the hard ones…and that they all matter!! Bless you friend and kindred spirit!

Hello, I just read your writing and I loved it. It encourages me a lot to keep my hope and dreams alive. I’ve always been a dreamer, but recently it got so big, as if God is encouraging me to dream things that beyond me. And since then I’ve been dreaming about going out of my country which will seem absurd if I look at my life and situation now. Yet I believe nothing is impossible for God. I don’t know how or when, I just know that God will eventually get me there. Gbu

Hi Elsie! I saw your post while I was searching for posts on dreams last night! I once dreamt a little dream for God. I told God if I could dream for Him, I would want to travel across the globe to share His Gospel and His Love to the lost and broken. I knew this dream was so far fetched as now I started working in d marketplace and having no opportunity of going into missions field yet. I had a Pastor who prophesied over me last year that God called me to be a missionary. It was a confirmation from God since all along I knew God called me out. However, many atimes even now, I knew I was called for something greater but the circumstances and time have not come for me to accomplish my dream. I’m not sure how God is going to align my circumstances but I choose to trust that God does makes dreams come true if it is in His Will. Love what you wrote there:
‘He put dreams in your heart. And when the time is right, He will align your circumstances, and your dreams will come true!’

Reading your post makes me want to continue dreaming God-sized dreams for God again! May you continue to touch lives for Christ through your stories and stories about lives! God bless you and your family abundantly.